Every season has something that makes it special. Warm sunshine in the summer, beautiful foliage in the fall, glistening snowflakes in the winter, and of course, the newborn blossoms of spring. None more so than at Fluttershy's little cottage in the woods, where everything from daffodils to azaleas was in bloom.
Clear skies and sunshine; something that had been much needed after a severe storm that had passed the area not too long before.
While the weather team pegasi were masters in controlling the daily forecast, storms that were either required or just went rogue for no reason were not unheard of. But today was a beautiful day. Thoughts of the storm were hardly a footnote in Fluttershy's mind as she took a moment to gaze out the window from in her kitchen. Looking at the day before her, she smiled as she thought about what would be in store.
It had at last dried up enough making the conditions perfect for a picnic between her and her best friends. She had been planning it for some time and she knew the perfect spot for them to have it. Right underneath one of her favorite trees; a beautiful flowering cherry. The thought of that tree made her smile and she couldn't wait for her friends to see the beautiful pink flowers that adorned its branches. So pink that Pinkie Pie could blend in with ease.
Today was going to be great.
She hummed a tune as she went back to pack up the dish she planned to bring to the picnic. Each picnic participant planned to bring a dish to contribute to the spread. Fluttershy decided to bring along an assortment of jams to go with some fresh biscuits and a salad.
When she turned to face the table, she found Angel Bunny trying to sample one of the pieces of lettuce from the salad bowl. As he munched, he looked up to find that he had been caught red-pawed.
"Hungry?" she asked, giggling at the sight.
The bunny smiled sheepishly at her with stuffed cheeks. Fluttershy giggled again.
"If you wanted some salad, all you needed to do was ask," she said. She took out a small dish and placed just a small portion of the salad onto it for the eagerly awaiting rabbit.
"You'll look after things while I'm gone?" Fluttershy asked.
Angel looked up at her, still munching and gave her a salute. Fluttershy then went to work to pack up the now sealed salad bowl, the biscuits, and jars of jam into a wicker picnic basket. Satisfied, she bade Angel and her other animal friends goodbye, took her basket to her front porch, grabbed the basket handle with her fetlocks and took flight.
As she soared, she inhaled a deep breath of fresh air as she made her way towards Ponyville. She caught the sweet smell of fresh flowers that had blessed her world this Spring. Along with seeing her animal friends awaken from a long winter's slumber, the sight and smell of the brand new flowers were the highlights of the season. As the town came into view she soon spotted her friends by the creek bridge. Twilight Sparkle and Spike, Starlight Glimmer, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. Each with a basket, saddle bag, or a wrapped dish.
Pinkie squealed on seeing her.
"Eeee! She's here! Are we ready to go?" she asked, bouncing her knees. "Are we? Are we? Are we?"
Fluttershy giggled at her friend's enthusiasm as she landed on the bridge, joining the group. Truth be told, she was just as excited, even if she kept it quiet.
"Simmer down, Sugarcube." Applejack told Pinkie. "We've all got everything we need, right?" She looked at her friends.
"I know I do," the Princess of Friendship prided. "I checked the checklist for our dishes four times just to be sure. We are good to go!" She grinned a wide grin.
Starlight and Spike smirked at their friend's usual antics of how organized she was.
"All right then, everypony else?" Applejack asked. The rest commented that they were ready to go.
"Oh, I just know you're going to love this meadow," said Fluttershy, her enthusiasm building. "And I can't wait for you all to see the cherry tree. I just know all of the beautiful flowers are in full bloom!" She kicked her forelegs in excitement.
Her friends grinned, just happy to be there to enjoy each other's company.
"How far away is this place?" Spike asked.
"Not very far," she said. "A little towards White Tail Woods."
"Well, then lead the way, Fluttershy," said Applejack.
In spite of herself, Fluttershy found herself leading them away to their destination, with her basket on her back. The only map she needed had been drawn into her memory long ago.
All of them took the natural beauty around them in. Wherever they looked, life was present. This could also be said as they happened upon a shady wooded area.
"Oh, such beautiful weather today. And much needed after that dreadful thunderstorm," said Rarity, as she gazed at the sky past the treetops.
"You got that right," said Applejack. "Rain's good for the crops and all, but there is such a thing as too much. I guess the weather team's losin' their touch." She grinned a smug grin, glancing towards the multicolor-maned pegasus.
Rainbow Dash scoffed.
"Give us a break," she said. "We can't always tell a storm is gonna go rogue. Sometimes things just happen."
Applejack laughed.
"I know, I'm just yanking yer tail."
Starlight Glimmer smiled at her friends' bit of banter before turning to speak up.
"It's so nice of you to invite me along."
"Why wouldn't we?" Twilight asked as she walked beside her.
"Well, you know how even your friends have friends that kinda do their own thing," said Starlight. "It's just nice to be included."
"Well we're more than happy to have you here, Starlight," said Fluttershy. "I just know you're going to love this place."
Starlight smiled. So much excitement and over a tree. In hindsight, it seemed a little strange that so much stock would go into as something as common as a tree. But she knew Fluttershy well enough to understand her love for nature, so there was that.
"That pretty of a tree, huh?" she asked.
Fluttershy nodded.
"Oh yes," she said. "It's one of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. And it's been one of my favorite places to go to for years."
"What kind is it, again?" Starlight asked.
"A beautiful cherry tree," Fluttershy said. "With the most beautiful pink blossoms."
"Oooh! I love pink!" Pinkie Pie chimed in as she popped up out of seemingly nowhere. Even if her friends had adapted to her little antics, she was still full of surprises.
"We know, Pinkie," said Starlight. "We know."
The eight continued on with their trip.
"I hope you don't mind that I brought my sketchpad with me, Fluttershy," said Rarity, motioning to her saddlebag. "When you spoke of this meadow and that tree, I thought to myself, what if I suddenly get a flash of inspiration for my new line? So it only made sense to come prepared."
"Ooh, I don't mind at all." Fluttershy declared with a smile. "I'd love to see what you can come up with."
"How much longer till we get there?" Spike asked. "I'm getting hungry."
Fluttershy looked ahead. As she saw that they were nearing a clearing, she smiled.
"It should be just through..."
She suddenly froze. In only a quick glance, time seemed to come to a screeching halt and break into shards.
"Fluttershy?" Twilight asked as she approached her. She looked to where Fluttershy's gaze was fixed and automatically gasped. This gasp would be followed by an ensemble of gasps as the others soon caught up and looked onward to the sight that beheld them.
Fluttershy's eyes were open wide as the moon, fixated on a spot in the meadow before her. There was no tree where it was supposed to be. Now in the clearing was nothing more than what looked like remnants of a charred stump. Branches, leaves, and blossoms were dashed across the grass.
"Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.
Fluttershy said nothing as she slowly advanced towards the stump.
She picked up a tiny blossom in her hoof and held it close and tenderly to her chest. Tears began to leak from her eyes and slowly stream down her cheeks.
"How... how could this happen?" she said.
Applejack circled the stump, examining it closely.
"My guess is that hootenanny of a storm did a number on it," she said. She took note of a discernible deep groove embedded in the stump. "Hmm. It looks to me that a bolt of lightning hit it."
"But where did the rest of it go?" Dash asked. "Did the wind blow it away or something?"
"That could be. It's also possible that it burned up," Applejack said. "We've had that happen on the farm." She glanced up at Rainbow. "Can't you weather workers control them bolts?"
The blue pegasus scowled again.
"Us weather workers make that lightning for the plants down here, AJ. It's not our fault they have a mind of their own when they're out here!"
"Um, guys?" Spike said to the two arguers. He pointed towards a downtrodden Fluttershy who promptly began to sniffle. It was enough to tell them that it was hardly time for an argument.
"Oh. I'm sorry, Fluttershy," said Applejack, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Me too," said Rainbow, as she finally set her hooves on the ground. "Sorry."
Fluttershy could only reply with quiet sobs. It could have been that she didn't even hear the two bicker. It didn't matter anyway. The tree was gone, and nothing could be done about it. All she could do was let her grief out in the only way she knew best.
The others didn't know what to say. Wanting to break the silence, Starlight approached her.
"Fluttershy, are you ok?" she asked.
Fluttershy looked at her with glossy, overflowing eyes and a little pout.
"Right. Sorry," said Starlight, finding that to be an obvious answer to a stupid question. Rarity soon chimed in, confused.
"What I don't understand is why a bolt of lightning would have struck this particular tree when there are plenty of others surrounding the meadow that are unscathed."
"I guess sometimes it just happens," said Twilight. "Lightning is unpredictable."
Fluttershy sniffled again as she cradled the blossom in her hooves.
"I'm sorry..." she whispered to it. "I'm so sorry..."
"Whatever for, darling?" Rarity asked, placing a hoof on her friend's back. "You didn't cause this."
"Aw, Fluttershy. It's not your fault." Starlight said with a small grin. "It was just a tree. Nopony was hurt by it."
Fluttershy's eyes shot wide open as yet another piece of her shattered inside her. She turned her head towards Starlight.
"Just a tree?" Fluttershy asked, starting to shiver.
Rainbow Dash inhaled a hiss through clenched teeth.
"Starlight... don't.." she said.
Fluttershy rose and faced Starlight as her expression contorted into a scornful glare. Seeing this, Starlight grew fearful and slowly backed away. In those rare moments when Fluttershy would get angry, ponies who knew her knew that they had better look out.
"It's NOT just a tree." Fluttershy hissed.
"But..." Starlight said.
"IT'S MORE THAN JUST A TREE!" Fluttershy yelled. She punctuated it with a heavy stomp of her hoof causing Starlight and the others to flinch. She was met with stares of shock and concern. There was a dead silence and the air around them grew heavy.
Fluttershy stared back at all of them, her anger dissolving as her face matched her friends. Wide-eyed and alarmed at herself.
"Oh dear," she said, taking a few steps back. "I'm sorry..." she squeaked. She breathed out hard, eyes darting everywhere. Her breathing began hastening as if she were drowning. She didn't know what to do or to think.
"Fluttershy...?" Twilight asked, taking a step forward.
But Fluttershy couldn't bear it anymore. Her mind was spinning. She quickly grabbed a stray branch that had managed to hold some flowers into her teeth and took off to the sky as fast as she could.
"Fluttershy, wait!" Pinkie called. "You left your pic-a-nic basket!" But Fluttershy didn't answer. She just kept flying until she was out of their view. The staring game was then directed at Starlight. All the eyes that were on the unicorn put her on trial. After a brief pause, she spoke in her own defense.
"I-I didn't mean to upset her!"
"It's not your fault, you didn't know," Rainbow said. "But she's right. It wasn't just a tree. She's been coming here and taking care of it since she was a filly and it meant a lot to her."
She paused.
Now it was Rainbow Dash who fell victim to the staring contest as her friends gazed her with expressions ranging from full attention to awe, and even dumbfounded. Rainbow just blinked at them, confused. It wasn't a real contest, so it didn't count as a loss.
"Why are you guys staring at me like that?"
"We're uh, kind of surprised," said Applejack. "No offense, but you're not always the best when it comes to Fluttershy's feelings."
Rainbow huffed and rolled her eyes. She knew they were right, but that wasn't important.
"Yeah okay, whatever. But trust me on this. We grew up together. I know why that cherry tree was so special. It's kind of a long story."
"Well we're all right here," said Starlight as she took a seat. "You might as well tell it."
"Wait!" Pinkie interjected. "As much I love stories, shouldn't we go after Fluttershy and help her feel better?"
"I think it's best that we let her cool down by herself for a bit," said Twilight. "I don't think she's ready to talk to anypony yet."
The ponies and dragon sat down after Rarity set down a cushion for her to relax on, of course. Pinkie Pie reached into her picnic basket and pulled out a couple of chocolate chip cookies. One for Spike and a few more for her.
"I got the soft kind for storytime emergencies," she said.
"Thanks." said a grateful Spike, as he took the treat.
Rainbow rolled her eyes at that before continuing. "It started a while back. We were just fillies," she began. "She went on a picnic with her family right here."
Giggles emitted from her throat as she admired the butterflies that took her from flower to flower. One of them landed on her flowing pink mane that partially covered her face.
"Ooh, hello there," she said in a tiny, gentle voice. "How are you today?"
Of course, the butterfly didn't actually speak. But little Fluttershy could tell from its subtle body language that she had been learning that it was doing just fine.
"Oh, I'm so glad," she said. "And you just hatched from your cocoon? That's wonderful!"
From a picnic blanket, Fluttershy's parents admired from not too far off. It hadn't been long since their baby filly discovered her talent in connecting with animals. And both of them couldn't be prouder.
Their young son Zephyr Breeze sat with them, holding a big ball in his hooves.
"Let's play, dad!" he said, nosing the ball over to his father.
When father and son rose to play ball, Fluttershy, for her part, started to admire the flowering trees around them. It was springtime, meaning that everything was lush and green. It was a welcome contrast to her home in Cloudsdale where flowers could only be seen in cloud top gardens. Other little pegasi preferred racing in the clouds, practicing to be the best of the best flyers. Fluttershy found contentment on the ground, and she wasn't ashamed of it.
She approached the edge of the meadow where could see birds singing on several branches of trees that surrounded it. She smiled widely at the sweet notes and she couldn't help but hum along herself.
Soon enough, the birds stopped their song to look at their new self-appointed chorus member.
"Hello, birdies. I really like your song," she said. "I hope I didn't interrupt."
The birds twittered in approval and couple began to flitter down to her level. Fluttershy held out little hoof when hoping one would land on it. One did; an elegant robin.
It tweeted a greeting at her.
"Hello to you too, pretty robin," the little filly replied. "How are you today?"
After discovering her talent of connecting with animals, she held the desire to learn what she could about them, language and all. But the conversation was cut short by the sound of rapidly beating wings and frantic twittering.
"Huh?"
She turned to see a little pink jay flying toward her, seemingly in a panic. As it stopped to hover, it twittered something rapidly.
"Slow down," Fluttershy said. "What's wrong?"
The bird took a breath before continuing at a slower pace.
"Trouble? Where?" Fluttershy asked.
The bird twittered and motioned for her to follow. Saying nothing, Fluttershy flittered off after the bird, her other new avian friends following her. They soon came to a secluded part of the woods, not far from the meadow. The bird motioned to a bush and landed on an overhanging tree branch.
"In there?" she asked.
Fluttershy crept over, pushed the some of the brush aside, and gasped at the sight before her.
"And that's when she found him."
There on the ground lay another pink jay. But this one looked badly hurt or even sick. The poor thing didn't even flinch at the sight of his potential rescuer. It almost looked like he couldn't if he wanted to.
"Oh my goodness.." she said softly, crouching down to it. "What happened to you?"
The fallen bird just weakly looked up at her, saying nothing. The bird who brought her there twittered something at her.
"Oh no," she replied. "No wonder he's hurt so bad."
"I forgot what Fluttershy said happened to the bird," said Rainbow Dash. "He could've crashed into a tree, or a predator nearly got him, or something. Point is, he didn't look good."
A nearby blue jay squawked a question.
"Oh, I don't know what I can do to help him," Fluttershy said.
But looking at that injured bird, she felt her heart break into a million pieces. How could she not help? She still wasn't sure how, but she knew that leaving him there certainly wouldn't do any good.
"Maybe mom and dad can help."
Without a second thought, she knelt down and gingerly took the bird into her hooves. He was so limp. And one of his wings, his neck, they didn't look right.
"It's ok. I've got you," she cooed
Flapping her wings to a gentle hover, she took the bird back to the meadow as quickly and carefully as she could.
"You're going to be okay. I promise to take good care of you 'till you're better."
"She brought the bird to her parents, and my guess is that they didn't want to keep her from helping him," said Rainbow Dash. "That's why they let her take him home with her."
"Well, I wouldn't expect anything less from Fluttershy," said Applejack. "It's mighty swell that her folks had such confidence in her."
"Actually, I'm not 100% sure that they did," said Rainbow. "I never actually saw the bird, but from what Fluttershy told me he was in pretty bad shape. But they wanted to let her try anyway."
"What happened next?" Spike asked after swallowing a bite of cookie.
A short while later the family and little bird found themselves in a nice cozy house in Cloudsdale. Fluttershy had constructed a cozy little cardboard nest box for him, complete with what she had hoped would be comfortable towel bedding.
"There you go, little one," she said. "All snug."
The little bird looked up at her and she could swear she saw a small smile on his beak. She smiled back.
"I'll be right back," she said before going downstairs, where her mother was getting ready to prepare the family dinner.
"How's your little friend?" she asked as her daughter walked in the kitchen.
"He's resting, now," said Fluttershy.
Fluttershy's mother didn't know what to think. Out of the blue, her young daughter who had only recently gotten her cutie mark had taken on a great responsibility. She knew that Fluttershy's heart was up to the task, but her actual ability to perform it well was up for debate. Even so, she and her husband didn't have the heart to deny their daughter the chance to help in some shape or form. Not with the pleading look she had given them.
"You know, honey, we're glad that you want to help him but are you sure you think you can?" Mother asked.
"I made a promise that I would," said Fluttershy. "And I'm going to."
Fluttershy's mother didn't know how to respond to that. Her daughter had spoken with an admirable determination she didn't often hear from her. But at the same time, she could just be getting her hopes up. Still, it only seemed fair to let her try.
"Do you have any ideas?" she asked.
Fluttershy thought for a moment and grinned when an idea chimed in her.
"I know! When I go to school tomorrow, I'll find some books about birds and how to take care of them."
"Are you sure they'll help?" her mother asked.
"It's the best chance I have," Fluttershy replied. "I made a promise. And I intend to keep it."
Her mother smiled back, trying to hide her worry.
"All right. Do you need anything for him?" she asked.
"Hmm," said Fluttershy. "He needs some food and water. But I don't know if he can drink from a bowl..." She paused for a moment before another idea arose. "Do you still have that thing you used to use to give Zephyr medicine in? The one that looks like a... shot?"
Her mother nodded.
"I'll get it for you," she said. "And you know where the birdseed is."
"Ok," said Fluttershy. "Hmm, maybe I should check on him again."
She trotted upstairs to her room. But when she reached her bedroom door, she noticed that it was slightly ajar. But didn't she close it when she came downstairs? Peeking inside, she saw none other than her little brother poking his muzzle inside the bird's box. Fluttershy gasped
"Zephyr!" she exclaimed barely above a whisper.
The young colt looked at her, unphased.
"Hi, Sis," he simply said.
"What are you doing?!" the elder sibling asked. She speed-trotted over to the two and inspected the box. It didn't look like the bird had been moved. Sound asleep, his breathing was very shallow, but otherwise, he looked fine. Fluttershy sighed with relief before casting a disapproving glance at her younger sibling.
"I was just looking," he said.
Fluttershy sighed.
"You really shouldn't bother him while he's resting," she said.
"I just wanted a peek," Zephyr defended.
"Then you should have asked me first," said Fluttershy. "I'm the one taking care of him."
"Oh," Zephyr said, disheartened a bit. "Can I see him now?"
They were there now, so she may as well let him, Fluttershy thought.
"Ok."
Zephyr grinned and peeked into the box again, seeing the bird sleeping soundly.
"Can I hold him?" he asked.
"Uh-uh," Fluttershy said, shaking her head. "He's hurt very bad. If you move him too much it could hurt him more."
"Aww," Zephyr said.
Fluttershy rubbed her head. Maybe he could be careful, she thought.
"Well, If you promise to be really gentle, you can pet him. But remember, gentle."
Zephyr smiled and nodded.
"I promise."
She smiled and gently brought the box over closer to him. Zephyr carefully reached his hoof into the box. The young colt's hoof gently met the soft pink feathers of his crest. He smiled widely and Fluttershy couldn't help but smile too. Suddenly the bird stirred a little. Zephyr gasped and withdrew his hoof, fearing he did something wrong. But the bird just looked up at him, and he could swear it gave a smile at him. Fluttershy also smiled.
"He likes you," she simply said.
Zephyr grinned.
"Awesome. "
"Fluttershy told me that while they were having dinner, her parents had decided something."
That evening the family sat and ate together. A hearty plate of spaghetti was on the menu that night. Zephyr, for his part, was seemingly being as messy as possible.
"Mmm! Spaghetti!" he yipped.
Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle at how her little brother looked; sauce on his face, pasta in his mane.
"Oh dear, Zephyr," his mother said. She held a hoof over her mouth to suppress a giggle. "It looks like somepony needs a bath after supper."
Fluttershy giggled and continued to calmly eat.
"Fluttershy, your mother and I were talking about your little bird friend," said her father. "And we had an idea on how to get him some help."
Fluttershy's ears perked in interest.
"Yes?" she asked after swallowing a bite.
"We've decided that the best thing to do for him is to take him to a veterinarian," said Mother. "They'll know just what to do to try to help him."
"Really?" Fluttershy asked. "They'll help him?"
"Of course." said father with a smile. "That's what their job is. We can take him there tomorrow while you're at school."
Fluttershy smiled. Truth be told, there was a tiny part of her that wanted to be the one to help the bird out. But deep inside, all she really cared about was that her friend gets better and soon.
"Can't I come?"
"Sorry honey, but you really shouldn't miss school." said her dad. "But we'll take you to see him when you get home."
Understanding, and only slightly disappointed, Fluttershy nodded.
"Ok." she smiled. "I just want him to be okay."
"We know, sweetie," said Mother.
Later, before bedtime, Fluttershy finished giving the bird some more water with the help of a plastic medicine syringe. The bird was thankful.
"There you go," she said.
The bird chirped out a little something.
"You're welcome," she said. "Guess what? Mom and Dad told me they're gonna take you to a doctor to help fix you up. Soon you'll be back in the skies and singing before you know it."
The bird weakly chirped something at her. Fluttershy reached in and gently and lovingly stroked her friend's head.
"I promise."
There was a pause in the story. Rainbow Dash's friend looked at her and at each other, wondering why she wasn't saying anything. Her expression seemed slightly pained.
"Why do I suddenly have a feeling that something bad is about to happen?" Starlight said.
"Oh please, Starlight," said Pinkie. "Fluttershy promised that the birdie was gonna be okay. What could go wrong?"
Rainbow Dash just gave them a somewhat somber look.
"Right?" Pinkie asked.
Rarity gasped.
"You don't mean..."
"He didn't..." Applejack said in disbelief.
"The next day she was in a hurry to get to school, and when we saw each other there, she told me about the bird," Rainbow continued. "I don't think she saw what had happened until after she got home..."
After a what seemed like an eternally long day at school, Fluttershy, at last, found herself flying home, eager for her parents to take her to her little friend who was certainly in the best care as of now. Maybe she should bring him a treat to lift his spirits. Sunflower seeds, maybe? She happily hummed a tune while she landed on her cloud top lawn and walked to the porch.
"Mommy! Daddy! I'm home!" she happily called out when she entered the house.
Fluttershy's mother peeked her head around the corner of the kitchen.
"Oh, dear, you're home already?" her mother asked. Her tone, it sounded strange to her.
"Um, I come home every day at this time," Fluttershy said.
Looking at her mother, there was something about her face that didn't look right. It was sad and scared and a little confused.
"Is everything alright, Mommy?" the filly asked. "You don't look happy."
"Um..." Her mother tried searching for the right words. "It's about... oh, how do I put this... It's about your little friend."
Her father then came into the room. He gasped slightly at the sight of his daughter. Now Fluttershy saw that his face looked like her mother's.
"Oh, Fluttershy. Sweetie. You're back," he said
"Daddy, what's wrong?" Fluttershy asked.
She looked at her parents, a worried expression painted on her own face. A thought whispered something inside her. Something bad.
"Is something wrong with the bird?"
Both of her parents looked at each other with pained expressions. Fluttershy started to see read between the lines of those faces. No... they couldn't have meant it. She started shaking her head in disbelief at the thoughts that swam in her head. "No... no..." she said.
Fluttershy's mother spoke.
"Sweetie, after you left for school, we went to check on the bird before we could take him to the vet," she said. "He... wasn't moving when we came in."
Fluttershy backed away, still shaking her head.
"No. It's not true..."
Her eyes began to sting as tears flooded them. The thoughts grew louder as she tried to push them away. They had to be wrong!
"It's not true!" she cried. "He's.. he's probably asleep! Where is he?"
Not waiting for an answer, she raced upstairs to her room. But the box wasn't there to be seen. She searched all four corners of her room for it and then some, calling for her bird. But to no avail. Her parents trotted up behind her and stopped in her doorway.
Fluttershy turned to face them.
"Where's the birdie? I wanna see him," she pleaded.
"He's in the back house, but I don't know if you should..." her father said, but Fluttershy didn't listen, and instead raced outside.
"Fluttershy, wait!" said her mother. But she quickly made it to the back house and ran inside. Her eyes darted back and forth for the box and soon enough, she found it against the wall with her friend still inside.
"Birdie?" she called but received no reply.
She gulped and slowly approached the box. It wasn't true. He couldn't have... he's still in there, fast asleep. He had to have been. She carefully uncovered the lid, peeked inside, and inhaled a shallow, shuddering gasp.
Before her eyes was a stone-still bird. Dead.
She slowly backed away, feeling more hot tears threatening to stream down her face. In a glance, the back house had instantly turned into a tomb and the hope of seeing her bird fly off, singing happily had crumbled.
"No..." she whimpered, shaking her head. "No..."
She paused when she felt herself bump into the forelegs of her parents.
"Fluttershy?" her mother asked, reaching to stroke her mane.
Looking at them, Fluttershy didn't say anything. She couldn't even if she wanted to. All she could do was run away back to the house, up into her bedroom, and bury her face in her pillow as she sobbed.
